Some tribes on the plains used the thickened stem bases of blazingstar as survival food, but generally they were used as medicine. The roots of most Liatris species contain the starch inulin, which can't be metabolized by humans, but which is considered a mild liver and kidney tonic. Blazingstar tea was used to treat kidney, bladder and menstrual problems, water retention, gonorrhea, colic, throat inflammation and laryngitis. It was also gargled to soothe sore throats. Mashed roots were applied to snake bites as a poultice, and they were also simmered in honey to make a cough syrup. In New Mexico, dried roots were burned like incense. The smoke was inhaled to relieve headaches and nosebleeds, and it was also blown into the throat to cure inflamed tonsils.